windows 8.1 or windows 7

[bgant4]

Getting a new computer. Which operating SYSTEM SHOULD I get? Windows 8.1 or windows 7.

[1775]

I would go with a Win 7 computer. I have a new laptop that came with Win 8.1. The day I started it up I got a message from Microsoft that said Win 8.1 would soon be discontinued and replaced with "Win 8.1 Update" and I must update now. (Yes that is the actual name of the OS that is now supported - Win 8.1 update.) This was before the announcement of Win 10 which has yet to happen other than in Beta testing.

The Win 8.1 Update put back a few familiar features from Win 7 including a Shut Down button. The first thing I did with the new laptop is tweek it - only with Windows settings - to not have to log in every time the OS starts and to open directly to Desktop bypassing the annoying app screen. The app screen is nothing more than a glorified Start Menu and if you stop all of these apps from connecting to the internet and delete most of them what you get is a full screen start menu with all of your installed software - not just the mostly useless Microsoft apps. With the computer set up like this - especially on the desktop, it is no different from Win 7. But you have to stand on your head to get it there.

I have experienced a few problems - when it wants to update it updates and I have found no way to turn this off - and it will not shut down until the updates are complete once started. I also wanted to back up the hard drive with Acronis and Win 8.1 would not work with the version of Acronis that I have (it could not find the laptop's hard drive) and apparently only works with the newest Acronis version. I had to find new back up software just for the laptop. Installing printer drivers was not as easy as Win 7. Screen resolution on the laptop is limited and if you have trouble seeing small fonts there is no way to just set the resolution to a easily readable font without losing half the screen. The touch screen can be bypassed. My laptop has a touch screen but I don't use it unless the mouse is being a pain.

All and all I would stick with Win 7 - it is all there and you don't have to jump through a circus hoop to get it to work the way you are used to. And apparently Win 10 is going back to Win 7 in its interface - chalk up another MS mistake with Win 8/8.1- like Windows Millennium and Vista.

[strollin]

AllegroD wrote:
FWIW ...

2. Please do not base a decision on the forth coming Win 10. It might be a free upgrade but that is looking like for the first year only. After that you will be likely be paying anual dues to continue with Win 10/11/12/13 etc. Have not seen the pricinig yet but appears that you will just be renting.

Win 10 upgrade will be free forever if you upgrade within the first year. If you wait to upgrade after the first year then you will have to buy the OS. No annual fees for Win 10.

Future versions might follow a subscription model but that remains to be seen.

[hershey]

Everyone seems to think that there is a huge learning curve when going to a Mac. I went over to the dark side 4 years ago and yes, there is a difference. But if someone as old as I am can learn the system, anybody can. Biggest change is learning that you don't delete in Mac, you send it to trash 🙂
I think there is a bigger learning curve to the Windows OS. Its changing a lot between every new upgrade...7 to 8, 8 to whatever comes next. In four years I've upgraded my Mac OS and really never noticed a change. Programs still work as they always did. I have to admit, I partitioned my HD so i can run both, Mac and Windows but the only time I go to Windows is for the Family Tree Maker. 🙂
Then best think I can say for Mac is that its over 4 years old and as up to date now as it was when I bought it and I have no reason to get a new one. With a PC I could seldom get over 2 years out of one without it pooping out.

[Gdetrailer]

Altern wrote:

bgant4 wrote:
Getting a new computer. Which operating SYSTEM SHOULD I get? Windows 8.1 or windows 7.

Neither. Do yourself a favor & buy a Mac.

Hmm.. let me see.. For $200-$300 I can buy a really screaming fast system board plus a quad core Intel processor, bunch of memory, 1TB HD, BluRay BURNER and a nice looking case plus 850W power supply.. $130 for Win7 OEM OS, $100 for a 24" monitor.. All told $530 "invested" into a system that will beat the pants off any $2000 "Mac" and run 99.9% of the software ever available..

A $2000 "Mac" nets you a very old antiquidated "business model" of highly proprietary hardware, firmware which is NOT available for you the consumer to purchase or repair.. Not to mention every time a new proprietary OS is released your HARDWARE is ALWAYS OBSOLETED and therefore a expensive doorstop in one or two years.

I CAN buy every NEEDED part to build or repair a PC, not so with the world of "Macs".

I CAN buy every part for a PC very inexpensively, forget about that for "Macs", those parts are only available from Apple and if you can get them they WANT the old parts back.

"Macs" are also NOT "impervious" to virus, malware, nor is the OS code "perfect".. It has many flaws and security holes, you just don't realize it..

Isolating yourself on the "Mac Island" gives you a false sense of security that is not real.. Give the PC users a break and quit pushing the "mac" thing..

[RinconVTR]

8.1 and if you don't like the interface, download "Classic Shell" and make it look like whatever version of Windows you want.

Its important to stay up to date with your OS and patches that come out, same with Java, IE and Chrome....etc.

[SCVJeff]

pianotuna wrote:
--snip-- I really wish that computers would stop evolving, and that they were worthwhile fixing, instead of being a "throw away".

Thats because we're all old and come from a fix it rather than toss it mentality. Technology as it is today didn't evolve anywhere near as fast in the 'old' days, and we all did fine.

[1492]

I would get Windows 7. You'll still get a Free upgrade to Windows 10 when its released for the first year. At least for the basic versions.

[wildtoad]

With a little patience you can make 8.1 much like 7. Most of what I do use old style windows programs and have found it faster, stable. Bite the bullet and go with 8.1 then upgrade to 10 when it comes out.

[pianotuna]

Hi Jeff,

I had specific software that had to run in what was called "real mode". After two years the latest Apple OS no longer supported that mode with the amount of Ram I had--which I had maxed out when I made the original purchase. Therefore 6k/2 = 3k per year. I was left with an obsolete Mac that I had little or no use for. The program I needed was distributed on CDROM, so I had to buy a drive and a docking port. I was already emailing clients so I had to buy a modem. I needed a floppy drive, so that was another expense. None of this made the laptop particularly portable, and the Mac did not support my database, so I had to carry two computers.

The replacement for the Mac was about 1500, and I had to buy nothing extra.

I really wish that computers would stop evolving, and that they were worthwhile fixing, instead of being a "throw away".

SCVJeff wrote:

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Jeff,

This was back in 1996, so I don't remember the details. All said it done it cost me 6 grand. 3k per year is too rich for my blood

3k all in for top of the line Mac is about right in US$$, but per year??
I'm just barely getting used to 7, and now I gotta learn 2 more? Grrrr

[AllegroD]

FWIW

1. Get Win 8.1. My logic. Win 7 is a great operating syste. Win 8.1 is just as good. Win 8.1 is much easier to use than Win 8. You will not have that big of learning curve with Win 8.1.

2. Please do not base a decision on the forth coming Win 10. It might be a free upgrade but that is looking like for the first year only. After that you will be likely be paying anual dues to continue with Win 10/11/12/13 etc. Have not seen the pricinig yet but appears that you will just be renting.

[TOMMY47]

I have 8. Every time Microsoft does me a favor and upgrades me to 8.1, the computer quits working.
Either, I have to restore or do a system recovery with only the original programs re-installed. At least the restore doesn't remove all my personal info and files.
3 or 4 of each.

[SCVJeff]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Jeff,

This was back in 1996, so I don't remember the details. All said it done it cost me 6 grand. 3k per year is too rich for my blood.

Mac's are nice. So are Pc's. Find the program you want to run, then buy the platform that supports it.

3k all in for top of the line Mac is about right in US$$, but per year??
I'm just barely getting used to 7, and now I gotta learn 2 more? Grrrr

[pianotuna]

Hi Jeff,

This was back in 1996, so I don't remember the details. All said it done it cost me 6 grand. 3k per year is too rich for my blood.

Mac's are nice. So are Pc's. Find the program you want to run, then buy the platform that supports it.

[SCVJeff]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi,

I had a Mac. It was a pain. It was the most expensive laptop I've ever owned and was totally obsolete within 24 months. I had maxed out the ram and there was still not enough memory to run the one program I got it for in "real mode" so it could not be upgraded to the next apple OS. It had no modem, no disk drive, and a special docking port was needed for using a cdrom drive. It would lock up on a regular basis, requiring me to "zap the pram". If I wished to change the battery, it had to go back to the factory. I'll never willing own another Mac.

The OP should go for win 7 and probably consider transitioning to windows 10.

Altern wrote:
Neither. Do yourself a favor & buy a Mac.

what did you own? I have had more mac's than PC's and never had one that you couldnt pull the battery or RAM. I have a Mac laptop currently running the Mac OS, as well as XP, and Windoz 7, all running at the same time, and XP or 7 are faster than the laptop with an i7. Its pricy between the powerbook and the various OS's, but this the way to go

[5er4ever]

Either one as both will migrate (hopefully for free) to windows 10.

If you can afford it, pay the guy to place the OS on an SSD for 15 second boot ups. If you go this route free and easy software is available to backup the SSD drive onto the HDD weekly or monthly. Therefore the OS is easy to restore after it gets messed up.

I won't (again) comment on a Mac. Nor will I own one or suggest them to others. Interesting

JMHO

Good luck.